MMA Knockout

PFL CEO Open to Mega Fight Between UFC Champ Jon Jones & Francis Ngannou

Is a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight possible?

Zain Bando

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The PFL appears to have major plans in store for next year, including seeing PFL Super Fight champion Francis Ngannou finally fight UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

PFL CEO Peter Murray Proposes Ngannou vs. Jones

If both sides can mutually agree on a deal, it can be made. However, PFL CEO Pete Murray said in a recent interview with TalkSport MMA that the promotion wants to make the fight a reality.

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"Yeah, I mean, we’re supportive of it," Murray said. "I mean, the fighters want the fight. Jon Jones wants the fight, Francis wants the fight, we want the fight, our partners here in Saudi want the fight. And so, you know, it comes down to, does the UFC want to step up to it or not? Period.”

PFL CEO Open to Mega Fight Between UFC Champ Jon Jones & Francis Ngannou
Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou exchange punches during the Heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at Boulevard Hall on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. / (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Contrary to Murray's remarks, UFC CEO Dana White said after UFC 308 that Ngannou left the promotion on bad terms. White frankly didn't care that Ngannou left the UFC as its reigning heavyweight champion, or that he had superstar potential upon winning the title.

“Someday, I’ll tell you the story. I was all about Francis in the beginning and then I found out who Francis was,” White said. “I told the two guys who asked me not to cut Francis when somebody shows you who they are, believe them. Believe me, I have no sleepless nights over Francis leaving."

White added that it was less about business and more about how Ngannou conducted himself in various interactions between the two.

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PFL CEO Open to Mega Fight Between UFC Champ Jon Jones & Francis Ngannou
Jan 22, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Francis Ngannou leaves the octagon after the win against Ciryl Gane during UFC 270 at Honda Center. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

“I didn’t like Francis as a person. It wasn’t a guy I wanted to do business with," White said. "My boys were telling me he’s misunderstood. I told them when somebody shows you who they are, believe them. It wasn’t about him becoming heavyweight champion of the world. Francis isn’t a good guy. He plays the good guy. ‘I don’t understand the language’ so he seems like he’s a nice guy. He’s not, and he’s just not a guy I wanted to be in business with, period. End of story. Whether he became the champion or not.”

Ngannou's UFC title reign was short-lived, as he was sidelined due to injury following a decision-win against Ciryl Gane in January 2022.


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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

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